Page 78

9:17 p.m.

My father is furious.

It was bad enough in his eyes that I left the house without his permission; my parents have been arguing over this in my absence.

But my father is especially frustrated because he discovered I was at Paz’s house in the middle of his 60 Minutes interview.

“When the world sees that I do not know that my son is at the home of a known killer who publicly threatened him, it invites

criticism against Death-Cast during these already challenging times,” my father says over the phone. “How incredibly selfish

do you have to be to not care about the company or your own father being alarmed by this infuriating choice?”

“Selfish?” I shout in Paz’s backyard, then lower my voice because I don’t want to disturb his family or his neighbors. “How

am I selfish for making sure my friend doesn’t self-harm?”

“Did you do it for the Dario boy or to ease your own guilty conscience?”

“If protecting Paz makes me selfish, then I’m selfish. You got me, Pa.”

My mother interrupts him before he can fire back. “When are you coming home?”

“I was thinking about spending the night. Paz needs company.”

“, sweetheart, that’s a security concern for everyone,” she says.

“Dane is here. If you want me protected, you’ll send extra protection.”

“Tone,” Ma says.

I apologize—to her.

“I’ll send along additional security detail to surveil the house, but are Paz’s parents aware of the risk?”

“ His parents? What about us?” my father interjects. “ I am not okay with this.”

“I didn’t call for permission, Pa. I’m only keeping you posted.” This energy is why I need my own place. “Ms. Gloria and Mr.

Rolando have been gracious hosts who have cooperated with every inspection. They’re delighted I’m staying. We all agree Paz

can benefit from my company.”

My father must grab the phone back because his voice booms over their speaker. “You do not know these people! How can you

trust the Dario boy after he threatened you?”

“He doesn’t withhold secrets from me.”

“Meaning?”

“You have never told me about Death-Cast.”

“It’s for your own benefit that you have not been granted the secret,” my father says, fury building. “Frankly, you have proven

that you are nowhere near ready to be trusted with that delicate information! You distance yourself not only from the company’s

proven power and your status as heir, but now from your family, mi hijo, when we only want what is best for you.”

Those words are meaningless after all I’ve said and done to prove how unhappy I am in the life I’ve been living. “For a man who values family, you’re only interested in protecting yours. When do I get to start my own?”

“You’re nineteen.”

“You were eighteen when you knew you wanted to be with Ma. I’m older with far more wisdom and life experiences. I don’t know

what the future holds between me and Paz, but my time with him is limited before we return to New York, so I’m going to find

out.”

I hang up on my father.